A Dyadic Study of Lived Experiences of Family Stress, Emotional Distress and Family Resilience Among Women With Cancer During Pregnancy and Their Partners.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined how Chinese couples facing a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy engage in dynamic meaning-making processes to transition from family stress to resilience.

METHODS

This longitudinal interpretive phenomenological study involved four Chinese couples experiencing cancer diagnosed during pregnancy (CDP). Dyadic interviews were conducted across different phases of the illness trajectory and analyzed using the interpretive process proposed by Crist and Tanner.

RESULTS

Family experiences of cancer diagnosed during pregnancy (CDP) unfolded across four stages: prenatal diagnosis, prenatal treatment, postpartum treatment, and postpartum maintenance. Couples experienced stress in deciding on pregnancy continuation and cancer treatment while under pressure to protect the fetus and confront the risk of recurrence. Fear of death and guilt persisted as central forms of emotional distress throughout the illness trajectory, with cultural factors shaping emotional expression and communication patterns. Resilience emerged through engagement with external resources, mothers' child-inspired inner strength, and the development of couple-level resilience, ultimately deepening emotional intimacy and fostering spiritual growth.

CONCLUSION

This dyadic study demonstrates that cancer diagnosed during pregnancy (CDP) is a dynamic meaning-making process within couples' family belief systems. Family resilience evolves from reliance on external support to individual- and couple-level adaptation, transforming suffering into hope, family cohesion, and a shared sense of relational purpose.

IMPLEMENTATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Developing a dyadic perspective that integrates resilience and cultural sensitivity is essential for psychosocial oncology care. Additionally, integrative perinatal-oncology nursing support systems are needed to address both obstetric and cancer-related challenges.